Usb-powered air freshener

Abstract

A volatile liquid emitting device, comprising an electrical heating element and a reservoir of volatile liquid, liquid and heating element being disposed in a heating relationship to each other and the heating element receiving electricity from an integral USB connector, the volatilised liquid passing into the atmosphere through a membrane that is impermeable to the liquid but permeable to the vapour thereof. The device is simple, easy to produce and use, and the contents cannot spill or leak.

1 . A volatile liquid emitting device, comprising an electrical heating element and a reservoir of volatile liquid, liquid and heating element being disposed in a heating relationship to each other and the heating element receiving electricity from an integral USB connector, the volatilised liquid passing into the atmosphere through a membrane that is impermeable to the liquid but permeable to the vapour thereof. 
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , in which the liquid is held in a removable and replaceable container. 
   
   
       3 . A device ac cording to  claim 1 , in which the reservoir is a two-chamber reservoir, having the form of two chambers, in liquid communication with other by means of a relatively narrow passage joining them. 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 3 , in which one of the reservoir chambers has a smaller volume than the other, the smaller chamber only being heated. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 2 , in which the container rests on the heating element. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 5 , in which the surface of the heating element has a sawtooth form in cross-section, that part of the reservoir in contact therewith having a matching configuration. 
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1 , in which that part of the reservoir in contact with or adjacent to the heating element is made of metal sheet or foil. 
   
   
       8 . A method of providing a volatile liquid in the atmosphere surrounding an apparatus comprising a USB connection, comprising the volatilisation of liquid from a reservoir thereof by heating by means of an electrical heating element that derives its electrical current from the USB connection, the evaporated liquid entering the atmosphere through a membrane covering the reservoir, which is impermeable to the liquid but permeable to the evaporated liquid.